Hello! Today's story is inspired by a prompt from lemonpiegirl, thank you :D Thank you to SmackedCaskett, Hawk (I'm very glad you liked how Holly was written) Lizbet2008, lemonpiegirl and ChibiDawn23 for all your lovely reviews :D

(This is set during the 1st season of the show)

Aiden, coat on, purse in her hand, stuck her head around the office door. 'Hey, Stella. You out of here yet?'

'Nearly. Got a few things to sign off them I'm done.' Stella looked up and smiled at the younger detective.

Coming a little further in, Aiden threw a look over her shoulder. 'What about the boss man? Mac going home or is he spending Christmas here in the lab?'

Stella sighed and dropped her chin into her hands. 'Honestly? I don't know. I mentioned we were going to meet up at Sullivan's, but…'

'But it's Christmas,' Aiden said, unimpressed. 'He can't spend it in the lab.'

'That's not how Mac sees it. Christmas is just another day to him.'

'So he's just going to keep working like it's nothing special.' Aiden looked disgusted. 'Surely even Mac's got to take time off.'

'How about you go tell him that.' Stella raised her eyebrows and Aiden shook her head with a smirk.

'I don't think so. If you can't, then I got no chance.'

Stella grinned. 'Leave worrying about Mac to me. Go save me a beer at Sullivan's, I'll see you later.'

'See you later.'

Waving, Aiden left and Stella tried to focus on the last of her paperwork, fully intending to join the rest of the team in a short time, preferably with Mac.

As soon as her last piece of paper had been filed away, Stella strode towards Mac's office.

She found him frowning at his computer screen.

'Mac? You finished yet?' she asked, stepping inside the room.

Glancing up, Mac looked shadowy-eyed and Stella felt a wave of sympathy.

'Hey,' she said softly, approaching and resting her hand on his shoulder. 'How you doing?'

'Frustrated,' he admitted after a moment, and Stella squeezed his shoulder.

'Anything I can help you with?'

'Not really. Budgets for next year.'

'How about you take a break for a little while, come join us at Sullivan's, then you can always come back to it refreshed?'

Mac sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. 'If I stop now, it's going to be harder to get back into it. Best thing I can do is keep on until it's finished.'

'How long is that likely to take?' Stella kept her hand on him lightly.

'Tomorrow morning, maybe?' Mac shrugged.

'It's Christmas tomorrow,' Stella reminded him gently, but Mac's face closed up.

'Budgets and crime don't stop for Christmas.'

Frustrated, Stella sighed, but patted his back and reminded him that the invitation still stood and that they'd all be at Sullivan's for at least the next few hours. Mac nodded but had already returned his attention to his budgets. With a glance back at him, Stella left his office and the lab.

As she headed to Sullivan's along the frost-kissed sidewalks, an idea began to float in her mind. By the time she reached the bar, it had crystallised, and she presented it to Aiden, Danny, Flack and Hawkes.

Some hours later, an observer might have seen a group of people carrying various parcels and bags, laughing and chattering, pass the security desk at the lab building and down to the basement.

In his office, Mac heard a commotion and scuffling outside. Turning around, he found Stella at his door, carrying a grocery bag, and behind her other members of the lab team along with Don Flack.

'Seeing as you couldn't come out for Christmas, we've brought Christmas in to you,' Stella said, 'Don't worry, you don't need to do anything, we've got hot food, hot drinks and even dessert.'

She paused, expectancy in her face, her fingers knotting together around the handles of the carrier bag. Normally never at a loss for words, Mac had no idea what to say. Finally, he stood up, clasped Stella's hands and a smile broke over his face.

'Thank you… all of you.'

Relief flooded Stella's eyes and she leaned in to kiss his cheek. 'Merry Christmas, Mac.'

A smile in his eyes, he kissed her back. 'Merry Christmas, Stella.'

Thank you for reading, as always, I'd love your thoughts in a review :D Lily x